Banana Peel Booby Trap?
#26
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Sort of more a folklore issue than a bike one, but I'm curious why banana peels became the symbol for all things slippery.
Right now, I'm leaning towards the "banana peels are to tripping hazards as pie in the face is to assault" theory. That, or maybe banana peels were actually slipperier when they were the gros michel variety.
Right now, I'm leaning towards the "banana peels are to tripping hazards as pie in the face is to assault" theory. That, or maybe banana peels were actually slipperier when they were the gros michel variety.
#27
Interocitor Command
I've actually stepped on banana peels intentionally to see if they were really that slippery, and it didn't seem like it. Maybe they have to be on linoleum?
Sort of more a folklore issue than a bike one, but I'm curious why banana peels became the symbol for all things slippery.
Right now, I'm leaning towards the "banana peels are to tripping hazards as pie in the face is to assault" theory. That, or maybe banana peels were actually slipperier when they were the gros michel variety.
Sort of more a folklore issue than a bike one, but I'm curious why banana peels became the symbol for all things slippery.
Right now, I'm leaning towards the "banana peels are to tripping hazards as pie in the face is to assault" theory. That, or maybe banana peels were actually slipperier when they were the gros michel variety.
#28
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Today
I saw a banana peel beside the road on my commute in to work. It was in that little strip of grass between the sidewalk and the curb. Suspicious...
#29
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Googling gets some fun history--vaudevillian Sliding Billy Watson is, alas, almost lost to history. The Origin of the "Slipping on a Banana Peel" Comedy Gag
#31
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#32
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We all know that from our cartoon watching days, but I discovered that orange peels are at least as bad. Ouch!
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#33
Senior Member
Banana peels aren't that slippery - certainly no worse than a batch of marbles.
#34
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would hate to see perfect karma strike the prankster as he was laying them out ...
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#37
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#38
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#40
Interocitor Command
While out on my 25 mile ride today, I happened to encounter - DUM DUM DUM - a banana peel in the bike lane on one of our busy streets! Fortunately, thanks to the valuable information provided in this thread I was armed with knowledge and ready to handle the situation in such a fashion as to keep mayhem and peril away.
I am now convinced there may be a nation wide, or possibly even a global, conspiracy of slap stick comedians against cyclists and our knowledge. I call this organization CO.C.C.K.
These ne'er-do-wells may be lurking on this very forum to glean insights to our particular behaviors and habits. Therefore, I suggest we tread carefully and perhaps use a campaign of misinformation to lead this new terror organization astray. I've already been in contact with the authorities to warn them, but the call was disconnected. Yes, this groups of COCCKs have that much power!
I am now convinced there may be a nation wide, or possibly even a global, conspiracy of slap stick comedians against cyclists and our knowledge. I call this organization CO.C.C.K.
These ne'er-do-wells may be lurking on this very forum to glean insights to our particular behaviors and habits. Therefore, I suggest we tread carefully and perhaps use a campaign of misinformation to lead this new terror organization astray. I've already been in contact with the authorities to warn them, but the call was disconnected. Yes, this groups of COCCKs have that much power!
Last edited by Doctor Morbius; 04-16-19 at 12:25 PM.
#41
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F'n slob cyclists.
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#47
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There is a road on my regular ride route, Wilbur Ave., just north of Devonshire. (Northridge, CA) where almost every day, I find a banana peel about 100 yards north of the intersection. I see it almost every day, certainly more often than not. Whose life is so regimented that they eat the same banana snack, the same exact place, almost every day? I've thought about this for years, but never slipped and slid on it. Pinecones are a whole different deal, hit one, went down, broke my arm, concussion, face full of stitches, but that's another story...
#50
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Still, I can't dismiss hour contact path theory completely since that did save me when I inadvertently stepped on a peel and it was crushed in before I totally lost my balance.